Topic: Marlin's 3RZ Conversion

[BigMike]

BigMike, do you have a detailed post explaining the swap?

Patience young jedi.... all will be revieled soon in this thread.
Well, I don't have any single "post" but if you like reading, then check here: http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=4401.0

It's funy, I talked to Marlin in 2002 when I was out that way and he was testing the Axle . Was having toubles with it, and said it was Junk. however he is still running it.

Well, yes, it's a great axle in that it does what it's supposed to do, but it's a POS because the guy who built it messed up about 4 times and it used to bind up while turning and it was a huge mess. New knuckles were made right before the machine shop went out of business, so Marlin has just kept it mainly because it is so wide and the truck is so stable with it in there.

But I hear rumors that Marlin is going to revert back to a stock axle and run our chromolly axle shafts. I hope he uses some 2" wheel spacers or something, do an IFS conversion kit or something...... he's gonna miss all of that width!!!

Yea 2 weeks to do the swap I can see that. it's the extras you decide that you might as well do while your into it that kill you.

Yeah, it is looks like something special might be happening while Marlin and I are gone all of next week, so when I get back on the 15th to resume work on this project, I might find myself doing a bunch of other stuff not related to the engine swap


Well boys and gals,

I was back on the job today, so that can only mean one thing, progress!!

[BigMike [OP]]

WOW! Talk about a hack job!!

Since other things will be happening while I am gone next week, I won't even be able to start mounting the engine for a little over a week from now, so I've decided to start working on the wiring today. I got about 75% of the carburated wires pulled and removed from the truck today. 100% of the wires from the passenger's side, so tomorrow I will get all of the drivers side carb wires out of the way, mark the important circuits, and then I will take out the 3RZ harness, check it over, and start hacking it up as well.

Here is a shot of what the passengers inner fender wall looks like. Not to bad for one days work All that's left is the circuits for the lighting and windshield washers..

Also, Marlin is demonstrating what MAR-POWER is all about It Looks like 1/4 Horsepower to me, or about 1/620^th of a 3RZ 
Wow, could you imagine that it would take 620 Marlin's to have as much power as one 3RZ bawhahahahahaha!!! 

[BigMike [OP]]

And here are some more pics of the wiring progress in the cab. This is what Engine Swaps are all about Just tear into the thick of it and get rid of circuits that don't do anything for ya-


And that's it for today. Tomorrow will pretty much be the same, more updates on the wiring.

And as I've said above, Marlin and I both will be out of town from this Friday (5th) until next-next Sunday (the 14th).
So I will get some work in tomorrow, and then it will be lights-out for a week, and I will pick back up on the 15th.

G'Night All,
BigMike

[Bob Garrett]

But I hear rumors that Marlin is going to revert back to a stock axle and run our chromolly axle shafts. I hope he uses some 2" wheel spacers or something, do an IFS conversion kit or something...... he's gonna miss all of that width!!!

Out of curiousity, what width is he running now? My 83 is running with stock axles and 10" wide wheel with 3" BS and from the pictures, it doesn't look like he is that much wider, but it may just be the angle of the picture.

Bob

[BigMike [OP]]

it doesn't look like he is that much wider

A stock front end is 55.5" WMS, so your setup with that BS is only 1.5" wider than stock, or 57". Marlin's hybrid axle alone is 61" WMS not including his BS, so that's 5.5" wider than you Wow what a difference!

[Bob Garrett]

Thanks for the info. I thought it was wider than it looked in the picture.

For the record, I'm about 5" wider rather than 1.5". You have to consider the increase in rim width (10 vs 5.5 for stock wheel).  Stock wheels have roughly 0.5" positive offset. 10" wide rim (w/3" BS) has a negative offset of 2". Stock track width is 55.6" and I'm at approx. 61"

Bob

[FIREBALL]

Damn, now that's what I call Marlin Power.

VVVVRRRRROOOOOOOMMMMMMMM BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BigMike [OP]]

For the record, I'm about 5" wider rather than 1.5". You have to consider the increase in rim width (10 vs 5.5 for stock wheel). Stock wheels have roughly 0.5" positive offset. 10" wide rim (w/3" BS) has a negative offset of 2". Stock track width is 55.6" and I'm at approx. 61"

Ah, thanks for the heads up. In that case, Marlin's truck would be like a 65" or 66"??



Well, in light of what Mr. Elbisser said, in fact, the first 5 hours of my work day today was spent on building HySteer components and other things at the shop, so, after lunch, I really only got about 2 hrs on this project today, which really blows because I am now gone for the next 6 working days, so when I get back I am sure that my stuff will be moved around and it will take me a bit to get everything back in order and on track.

Today I started on the drivers side of the carburated wires. I would say it is about 70% contained now.....

[BigMike [OP]]

Next-next Monday when I return, the first line of work will be eliminating the ol' Carb ECU system completely from the truck. I remember doing it on my truck and I traced every wire, and carefully removed and traced each circuit one by one, and then to find out, all of the wires needed to be removed anyways, so I just ended up pulling the whole ecu. So I imagine it will be the same here, and Marlin's truck definately has less circuits than mine, also considering that my rig had the rare '81 "Sensor" lamp.

That's it for today. Stay tuned for the next update Aug 15th!

BigMike

[gotrocks]

looks grea guys keep up the good work as always

[Bob Garrett]

Ah, thanks for the heads up. In that case, Marlin's truck would be like a 65" or 66"??

Wow! that's about the same as my 80 series LC 

[Marketing]

As long as we have Marlin's truck apart for the motor swap we are going to go the whole 9 yards and replace the frame and suspension at the same time. Marlin's truck has been used so much that the frame is just falling apart. Now that Marlin's hitting the trail more than ever before we are going to completely restore the truck. This way the new motor will be mounted to a frame that will hold up to many more years of trail use.

We pulled a 1980 longed frame out of the back yard. With a few hours after work we cut off the stock hangers and installed our front and rear 4" springs.

Tomorrow we will pull the axles out from under the old frame and slide them under the new frame.

We hope to start moving the body over on Wednesday.

[reklund5]

 

It'll be like a brand new truck for Marlin! 

[Marketing]

Marlin, it's time to PIMP YOUR RIDE!

[lilbuddy]

  

Marlin, it's time to PIMP YOUR RIDE!

Its going to be more awesome when its done. Itll be like a brand new truck like reklund said!

[88runner]

Marlin, it's time to PIMP YOUR RIDE!

hey, who got the time to play playstation, watch DVD, ..., while they drive    
I don'teven have a playstation in the house why would I want one in my car, I would remove it and take it in the house

[Duffil]

hey Chris, while its semi apart, what are the chances of getting the vertical measurement from spring pin to frame?  And how big are those shackles?  Just trying to get a better idea of how big those things really are.

[Marketing]

With just the frame on the springs we have 15.5" up front and 19" in the rear.

[reklund5]

Chris-

What is the major advantage to running the new front spring hanger?  Is my factory hanger in danger of falling off? 

If I move to Fresno, will you give me a job?  Please?

[Marketing]

The front hanger allows the front axle to be moved forward. Stock hangers have been damaged on the trail and a few have left Toy's disabled on the trail. The front hangers we use is twice as thick as stock and has the a tube between the mount that adds strength too.

If your not using a front hanger, just take a look at your front hangers after each trip and before you get back on the road. Look for cracks and weld them up before they come off completely. Most of the time you will see cracks long before total failure.

We are currently looking for additional staff. If you can take orders, box up parts or do parts preassembly give me a call. We are looking for at least two more full time people in the next month.

[Angelo]

Hey Chris

The frame is painted and cab and bed are on!! Hey we didn't evan loose any fingers 

[reklund5]

Chris-

I'd love to come and work for you guys...but it's quite a move from Albuquerque to Fresno.  With the wedding next weekend and the Mrs starting grad school the week after that, I don't think she'll want to move just yet...   I am taking my last 2 ASE tests on Thursday, and provided that I pass 'em, I'll be a master tech.  I've been working as a technician at a Toyota dealership here in NM for a few years now, so I could probably handle whatever pre-assembly you could throw at me. 

Who knows...maybe in a couple of years.

For now, I'll check my front hangar...it's been fine so far, but I'm always looking for an excuse to point my plasma cutter at the truck   

Thanks for the info!
Ryan

[Marketing]

Axles back in place...


Test fitting cab...


Dean, CJ and Angelo cutting off brackets...



I wish I could have stayed later to get the last photo with both cab and bed installed. 

[Marketing]

Bed and body in position...

[MiniSimp]

Bed and body in position...

Ok, I'm curious...what's up with the 1980's roll bar?

[decyfer]

i heard that the 80's roll bar is an air tank

[TrackVino]

Now is this a supprise to Marlin? Looks good.

[4THEWKN]

Surprise??? Yes & no. He knew the 2.7 motor was coming, but the rest no.

[LCOwner]

Ok, I'm curious...what's up with the 1980's roll bar?

i heard that the 80's roll bar is an air tank

You heard right.  Marlin's been running that Smitty-built double double for as long as I can remember.

[kyle_22r]

Ok, I'm curious...what's up with the 1980's roll bar?

well, what's with the 1980s truck?  i think they look pretty sweet on the early rigs...